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“Death came into the world,” the Bible says, “because of what one man (Adam) did, and it is because of what this other man (Christ) has done that now there is the resurrection from the dead.”

“We picture death as coming to destroy; let us rather picture Christ as coming to save. We think of death as ending; let us rather think of life as beginning, and that more abundantly…. We think of going away; let us think of arriving.” ~Norman MacLeod~

The cobbler’s kids have holes in their shoes. The woman who gives advice to worriers still worries. What gives? Why can’t I stop this destructive behavior once and for all? Why does it continue to plague me?

Methinks I have to try a lot harder to get a grip. Me also thinks it’s easier said than done. Case in point: what happened over the Easter holiday.

It’s a long story, but suffice it to say, one of my puddies (my surrogate son) got sick. I frowned; I fretted. I tried to be strong and sensible…. “The facts, Ma’am,” I kept telling my brain. “Just examine the facts. Don’t go borrowing trouble. Don’t go imagining the worst. What happened doesn’t have to be life-threatening….that is, not unless you make it so. If you act logically; make good decisions based on available information, everything should turn out okay. Now, ask God to help you and leave it in His hands. Trust God, believe in Him. This is an easy fix for Him, so don’t get all emotional.”

Did I listen to my own voice of wisdom? Nah. I worked myself up into a stupor; had knots in my stomach; cried; pestered the vet; screamed at God; drove my husband crazy.

I have to say I read my book, and it did tend to calm me…especially the prayers. And I did try to keep busy, which also helped. I wanted to just hide and sulk, but I forced myself not to give in completely.

In fact, now that I think of it, I wasn’t as bad as I would have been two years ago, when I’d have been ordering the cat’s headstone, and searching the garden for a quiet resting place.

So, I think I’m getting a LITTLE better.

On the other hand, in retrospect, I realize I brought the stress on myself. I should have tried harder to chase it away. It was much easier to give in to worry and harder not to.

So I get low grades this time. But, as they say in business… going forward, I’m going to be stricter with myself. I’m going to remember what Thomas Jefferson said, (no wonder he was President)….”How much pain have cost us the evils WHICH HAVE NEVER HAPPENED.”

“Death came into the world,” the Bible says, “because of what one man (Adam) did, and it is because of what this other man (Christ) has done that now there is the resurrection from the dead.”

“We picture death as coming to destroy; let us rather picture Christ as coming to save. We think of death as ending; let us rather think of life as beginning, and that more abundantly…. We think of going away; let us think of arriving.” ~Norman MacLeod~

Instead of April Fool’s Day this year, I’m going to propose we have a National Don’t Worry, Be Silly Day. This would be a day we’d set aside to stop everything we’re doing and take a hard look at all the things that make us so anxious. Once a year, then, we’d get to see how silly it is to place such importance on things like wealth, looks, status, prestige, and power.

Dress on this day would be simple: no Tommy Hilfiger or designer sweats, just really plain, old, baggy, clothes, and flip-flops. Hats would be encouraged—and of course, the sillier, the better. Women would not wear makeup and men would not have to shave. So no one would have to worry about what to wear, or how they looked, because everyone would look the same—silly.

All cell phones, laptops and mobile devices of any kind would be banned, and everyone would have to leave his BMW or Lexus at home and use either stilts or a pogo stick to get places. What’s more, no one would reveal who they really were, and what they really did. Instead, if anyone asked, each person would pretend he worked at some job the very opposite of his own. This way, one day a year, we would all see how it feels to walk in our neighbor’s shoes.

Meals on this day would be simple, too. Every town would have a huge fair offering tables of smiley-faced peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and dessert cups of fake eyeballs in red Jell-O. No low carb, low-fat food, or arugula would be allowed. Cafe lattes and designer spring water would be nixed as well. The good news is no one would go hungry on this day because the food would be free. The bad news is anyone mentioning a diet would have to eat two banana splits with sprinkles.

Singing and dancing would be encouraged—regardless of ability. There would be silly putty sculpture exhibitions and open mike sessions with topics like, “The Silly Things I Worry About.” Competitive or status sports would be a no-no. But anyone who had always wanted to bungee jump, climb a wall, go skateboarding or ride a unicycle, but never had an opportunity, could give it a whirl. This way, since no one would take anything seriously, we could try things we have always wanted to do and not have to worry about doing poorly. Happily, we would all get the chance, as Jesus encouraged us, to “become as little children” again.

Best of all, since the mood would be carefree and silly, there would be no one to hate and nothing to fight about. And anyone caught sporting a furrowed brow would get a pie in his face, either chocolate fudge, or banana cream.

Now, just before the close of Don’t Worry, Be Silly Day, there would be a contest. The object would be to explain how being silly one entire day could help us stop being anxious for the other 364. Since no one’s answer would be any better than anyone else’s, everyone would be a winner. And the prize would be learning how to worry less, and laugh at ourselves more.

There’s nothing more energy sapping than to try to go about business as usual when you’re nervous about your job, especially if you’re in a position where you’re waiting for the other shoe to drop. And these days, you never know when it will. It’s hard to stay up when uncertainty abounds. But somehow you’ve got to keep yourself pumped, and your thoughts positive. Here’s a prayer that may help:

Lord, please give me the grace to put aside my worries about work. Let me live in the moment and be grateful for the job I have right now. Keep me from ruining my day with paranoia about whether I’ll have my job tomorrow. Help me stay positive. I know you know what’s best for me. So help me remember you will always give me what I need (which may not always correspond with what I want). And if your plans do include a pink slip, help me flex my faith muscle and trust the new road you’re putting me on. Teach me to understand that what I consider a setback may actually be your way of moving me forward. Finally, help me look at any work-related challenge you put before me as an opportunity to grow, secure in the knowledge you want me to succeed and find joy. Amen.

Still have job jitters, try Jeremiah 29:11 … “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Every once in a while you come across an affirmation, or a quote, or a piece of writing that’s just so, well, spot on, you can’t wait to share it. T.D. Jakes, “Just Because,” is one of them.

It’s an affirmation of self, a call to love the person God made, a call to trust God’s timing, a call to believe God has a plan for you. And while you’re taking care of all that, it’ll be next to impossible to worry. So take a minute to read, enjoy, and internalize:

Just Because by T. D. Jakes…..

“Just because no one has been fortunate enough to realize what a gold mine you are, doesn’t mean you shine any less. Just because no one has been smart enough to figure out that you can’t be topped, doesn’t stop you from being the best. Just because no one has come along to share your life, doesn’t mean that day isn’t coming. Just because no one has made this race worthwhile, doesn’t give you permission to stop running. Just because no one has realized how much of an awesome woman you are, doesn’t mean they can affect your femininity. Just because no one has shown up who can love you on your level, doesn’t mean you have to sink to theirs. Just because you deserve the very best there is, doesn’t mean that life is always fair. Just because God is still preparing your king, doesn’t mean that you’re not already a Queen. Just because your situation doesn’t seem to be progressing right now, doesn’t mean you need to change a thing. Keep shining, keep running, Keep hoping, and keep praying, Keep being exactly what you are already. COMPLETE!”

The Worrywart’s Prayerbook

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Greetings from the Worrywart

Welcome to the Worrywart's Corner. I hope what you read on these pages will help and inspire you. I'll really try to keep it current, but don't worry if I neglect my duties every once in a while, as I've deadlines that must come first if I want to keep the cats fed and the bill-collector away from my door. For those who may not know me, here's a bit of my backstory: I'm an internationally-published author of over 170 children’s and adult trade titles with close to two million books in print. My books reflect two main passions, God and cats, and include such titles as The Worrywart’s Prayer Book, The Dreamy, Fishy, Happy Bible Storybook, The Ten Commandments for Little Ones, as well as Smelly Feet Sandwich and Other Silly Poems; Purr More, Hiss Less: Heavenly Lessons I Learned from My Cat; The Joy of Being Single and Cat Confessions: A Kitty-Come-Clean Tell-All Book.

Among other places, my work has been featured in The New York Times, The International Herald Tribune, The Irish Independent News, The Hartford Courant, The Washington Post, and The Los Angeles Times.

I live, write, and worry in Connecticut with my husband, Desmond Finbarr Nolan, and our three feline children, Sinead, McDuff, and Angela.

Cat Confessions: A Kitty-Come-Clean Tell-All Book New in 2010

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The Dreamy, Fishy, Happy Bible Storybook New in 2010

Gather around the Christmas tree, little ones,” I told the puddies today. “Time for caroling.” Angela closed her eyes. McDuff went into the basement. And Sinead ran under the bed. “Now, puddies,” I said sternly. “Resistance is futile. So you … Continue reading →

He died, so that we may live…. “Death came into the world,” the Bible says, “because of what one man (Adam) did, and it is because of what this other man (Christ) has done that now there is the resurrection … Continue reading →

Want to nestle some blessings and love among the jellybeans in your little one’s Easter basket this year? Want to fill it with Hugs & Kisses? Well, not to worry. Here’s your chance. From today, March 20, 2012, until April 4th, I’m … Continue reading →

Angela Dah-ling Cats have gotten it right. They don’t worry about anything. And everything turns out just ducky. I wish I could be like them. Or failing that, I wish I could be like the unflappable Mary of the Bible–the … Continue reading →

Okay, yes, I have been very worried…worried that I can’t keep up with everything, particularly this blog. But I do have several good reasons. I’ve been totally blessed with new books, which are just now pubbing. This is my latest from … Continue reading →

This is my latest book from Zondervan. It’s a fun lift-the-flap book entitled, THANK YOU, GOD FROM THE KIDS OF THE WORLD. It will be out in September 2011. I can’t wait….. Yikes…I’ve been busy…. I have a couple more … Continue reading →

I have two words for people who fear death so much, they can’t enjoy life: Merry Christmas. These words offer hope to a once hopeless world because through the miracle of Christmas, God has arranged it so that no … Continue reading →

While we were investigating the Rock of Cashel in Tipperary, my friend, Lauren Yarger, wrote this fantastic review of THE WORRYWART’S PRAYER BOOK, on her blog, Christian Performing Arts, which I’d like to share: Thanks, Lauren. Glad you liked it. http://christianperformers.blogspot.com/2010/07/book-review-worrywarts-prayer-book-by.html

(Wo)manning the ropes again. Here are more snippets from the Old Sod. Outbuildings of the Rock of Cashel Yours truly holding the ropes at one lock. The Irish Ark makes its way into a … Continue reading →

What’s it like spending a week in a 40-foot boat (the Irish Ark), cruising down the Shannon River in Ireland, with your husband and eight of your in-laws? Well, I worried about it before I made the trip. But I … Continue reading →